COVID-19 UPDATE WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER
No further cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) over the past 24 hours, with the total number of reported positive cases in the region remaining at 56.
The total of 74,585 COVID-19 tests have been completed in the MLHD.
MLHD advises members of the public to wear masks in situations where social distancing is impossible. Masks should also be worn in NSW by public-facing employees such as hospitality or supermarket workers, worshippers and residents of suburbs near COVID-19 clusters.
“We can all play a part in slowing the spread of the virus by reducing contact between people unless absolutely necessary, especially those in our population who may be more vulnerable or susceptible to the illness because of age or weakened immunity,” said MLHD Director Public Health Tracey Oakman.
“We also ask people not to visit loved ones if they are feeling unwell, or have cold or flu like symptoms,” said Ms Oakman.
MLHD reminds members of the public to minimise travel, increase personal awareness around hand hygiene and practice physical distancing.
MLHD encourages anyone with even the mildest symptoms such as sore throat, cough, headache, fever and shortness of breath to be tested. Tests undertaken at any of the MLHD’s testing clinics are FREE and completely confidential. You can be tested at any of the following hospital clinic sites: Deniliquin, Cootamundra, Griffith, Leeton, Tumut or Wagga Wagga.
Call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 831 099 to book an appointment.
In addition, some General Practitioners (GPs) provide access to COVID-19 testing in their practice. You should call and enquire before making an appointment if you think you may need to be tested.
Testing is critical to help minimise the risk of community to community transmission and to stop the spread. People are required to self-isolated after the test until their result is received, this usually takes around 30 hours and can be received via text message.
Testing is critical to help minimise the risk of community to community transmission and to stop the spread.
Health workers in all MLHD’s hospitals and health care services will be wearing surgical masks if they are within 1.5m of patients as a precautionary measure. Masks have proven effective in suppressing COVID-19 transmission.
Patients in hospital and community health settings will also be required to wear a mask, where possible.
MLHD reminds family and friends that there are restrictions in place around visitation. One person can visit per patient/resident at any time for up to 60 minutes during dedicated hours. Visitors must be over 16 years and will need to complete a COVID-19 Visitor Assessment form. Visitors will also be required to wear a mask before entering the facility. Special consideration will be made for children, maternity patients and critically ill patients.
MLHD testing clinic information is available at:
https://www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about-us/newsroom/events/covid-19-mobile-testing-clinics
A
full list of testing clinics around NSW is available on the NSW Health website.
For more case locations visit:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates
Testing is critical to help minimise the risk of community to community transmission and to stop the spread. People are required to self-isolated after the test until their result is received, this usually takes around 30 hours and can be received via text message.
Anyone who feels unwell or is concerned should be tested. Anyone with even the mildest symptoms such as sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath should be tested. Testing is free. Anyone with symptoms should come forward for testing for COVID-19.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District COVID-19 Hotline Hours
MLHD COVID-19 Hotline is open seven days a week, from 7.00 am to 9.00 pm.
The number to call for assessment is 1800 831 099.
For serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000) for urgent medical help.
The national COVID-19 hotline 1800 020 0780 remains open for anyone seeking information on coronavirus. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Emergency Departments continue to provide emergency care across the District.
People requiring non-emergency care should continue to contact their local General Practitioner. Health Direct is available for free health advice on 1800 022 22 or visit
www.healthdirect.gov.au
NSW Health recently broadened the testing criteria for COVID-19 and MLHD has expanded further to include any person with symptoms of respiratory illness, regardless of travel or contact history.
This will provide for a better understanding of the prevalence of COVID-19 in our communities as well as early identification of any cases to prevent further transmission.
COVID-19 Testing Clinics are currently located in Cootamundra, Deniliquin, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Tumut, and Wagga Wagga. Appointments are essential by calling 1800 831 099.
REMEMBER:
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, sore throat and dry cough. Symptoms will generally appear 3-4 days after exposure to the virus but can be up to 14 days later.
Members of the public are advised to minimise travel, increase personal awareness around hand hygiene and practice social distancing.
DO YOU NEED TO BE SCREENED?
Anyone who believes they have may have contracted the COVID-19 virus (ie: who have come in contact with a confirmed case or are showing symptoms: fever, sore throat, dry cough and shortness of breath) are advised in the first instance to:
- Call the free-call coronavirus hotline 1800 022 222 and receive advise on the best course of action depending on your symptoms and risks. Medical staff will direct people to the nearest hospital or respiratory clinic, or advise them to stay home and self-monitor, or contact their GP, or
- Contact your GP to arrange an appointment (let GP practice know in advance if you have symptoms) or
- Call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 831 099 for assessment (7.00 am – 9.00 pm)Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) continues preparations to ensure we have the health workforce ready for the anticipated rise in hospital admissions and people needing care at home over the coming weeks and months.
While many people are expected to experience mild to moderate symptoms which can be managed at home with the support of health care workers, those who experience more serious symptoms will need specialist care an appropriate local hospital. The MLHD Base Hospitals are equipped to support people with severe COVID-19 symptoms.
People who are most vulnerable are people over 70, people over 60 with chronic and complex illness, or people with weakened immunity and Aboriginal people with chronic illness.
A number of strategies are being activated to ensure appropriate numbers of qualified health teams are available, and that our clinicians are properly rested between shifts.
Nurses and doctors who have been working in other areas in the hospitals, such as surgery, are now being deployed to caring for people with COVID 19. Clinical staff who have moved into managerial and administrative roles are being deployed back to the front line.
We are also fast-tracking student nurses who have recently completed their training.
MLHD is launching a social media campaign to reach clinicians in the community to come forward and help.
We ask members of the public to remain calm and be vigilant in their hand hygiene and practice social distancing. Follow the advice given by NSW Health authorities and stay up to date with what’s going on the website at:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases
TIPS to reduce potential for virus transmission
- Stay home as much as possible
- Wash your hands regularly
- Keep a distance of 1.5 metres between themselves and other people
- Stop shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly
- avoiding visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals.
All confirmed cases of COVID-19 are reported centrally by NSW Health.
You can also find the latest COVID-19 figures, including likely source of infection & sex and age groups for MLHD on website:
https://www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about-us/newsroom/media-releases